I am super excited to be participating in the West Elk Bicycle Classic’s 2019 charity ride. I have completed every edition since it began in 2012. It is the only event I have participated repeatedly. It is challenging and always memorable.
The West Elk Classic has always had a charity in nature raising awareness and monies focusing on helping those in need. This year the charities are Type I Diabetes research and treatment, Sharon's Kids and Bikes, Books for Kids and Living Journeys which helps locals in the Gunnison valley fighting cancer, like me! Thank you for your support in helping me to reach and exceed my fundraising goals for the West Elk Bicycle Classic, taking place on September 1, 2019! Not only am I riding but I also have contributed a dollar for every mile I ride. I am set out to ride them all! I hope you make a consideration and I will add your name to my number tag for support.
Many Thanks!
Andy
West Elk Bicycle Classic
THE WHAT AND WHY?
We feel that no opportunity should be wasted. You should never look back and wish you could have done more. We think about the future. Our children. This is why we ride the “Westy” or West Elk Bicycle Classic…to help others while challenging ourselves on the bike.
- Supporting Western State Colorado University
Western has taken many a young mind and helped it go on to many great outcomes. We hope by coming to Gunnison you will see that it is a great community, high-achieving school and amazing place to recreate in the great outdoors!
- Finding a Cure for Type 1 diabetes
T1 diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes. A persons pancreas can stop producing insulin at any age. Without insulin, sugar that we all use for energy can’t get into the cells. If left untreated a person will slowly starve to death. It is treatable but there is no cure. Treating it means constant insulin injections and checking of blood sugars. If the levels fall too low you can go into a coma and die. If it is too high blindness, nerve damage and many other maladies result. Once you have it will never go away. That is what we hope to change.
We have supported Sharon’s Kids in the past and will again this year. Sharon is a wonderful woman takes underprivileged kids on trips, camps and other great activities in the Paonia area. Our past donations helped Sharon arrange for them to attend computer camp at Western amongst other opportunities.
Western Colorado University is a gem in the middle of the Colorado Rockies. We are raising funds for the University athletics, childrens groups and type 1 diabetes research. We have been able to give thousands back.
Type 1 diabetes is an incurable disease affecting people of all ages. It can be treated by taking insulin that the body no longer makes. Severe complications are possible if the amount of insulin taken doesn't match the amount of food consumed. It is a long story but it sucks. We want to support a cure which is totally possible with further research.
Sharon's Kids is run by Sharon Reigle in Crawford CO. She takes underprivelidged kids on trips, camps and even math and computer camps at Western. These kids would never be able to experience such positive experiences to help them live a better life with out her.
We are working with more nonprofit